Ant International is doubling down on its Middle East ambitions with a two-pronged move into the United Arab Emirates—inking a strategic MoU with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and securing In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the country’s central bank for key payment licenses.

The announcement marks a significant expansion for the global digital payments and fintech heavyweight, positioning it to roll out its full suite of payment and merchant solutions in one of the world’s most ambitious digital finance hubs.

Building Abu Dhabi’s Fintech Infrastructure

The agreement with ADIO will see Ant International use its tech stack to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s fintech growth, with a focus on SME empowerment, cross-border connectivity, and financial inclusion.

H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, framed the deal as more than a welcome mat:

“Scale is no longer just about reach, but about resilience, trust, and regulatory clarity. Abu Dhabi is actively shaping digital innovation for the future.”

Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, called the UAE partnership “foundational” to the company’s mission, adding that ADIO’s support will help link local businesses to global growth opportunities.

Regulatory Green Light—Almost

On the compliance front, Ant International received In-Principle Approval from the Central Bank of the UAE for Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) licenses. These are mandatory precursors to full licensing.

Once granted, Ant will be able to offer:

• Merchant acquiring and payment aggregation
• E-wallet issuance
• Domestic and cross-border fund transfers

These services align with the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ strategy, which aims to push the country into the global fintech elite.

Strategic Implications

For the UAE, Ant International’s arrival represents another heavyweight fintech anchor alongside players like Stripe and Adyen, adding competitive depth and technical know-how to its payments landscape. For Ant, it’s a chance to plant a regional base in a jurisdiction known for progressive regulation, robust digital infrastructure, and a bridge position between East and West.

“This approval is a testament to our shared vision for a digitally-driven, inclusive economy,” said Yang. “We aim to bring AI-powered fintech solutions to help scale the UAE’s growth.”

If the final licensing is secured, expect Ant to move quickly—rolling out wallet tech, merchant services, and cross-border tools to lock in market share before rival global payment providers double down in the Gulf.